A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: 5 key differences between the Netflix series and the novel

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is based on the global bestselling book series of the same name written by Holly Jackson. It follows the story of a steadfast high school girl, Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who takes on a closed case for her final project and seems to draw great interest.

It's a novel that combines mystery, teenage drama and moral complication, so the series is very challenging to adapt as per the original novel. It set, in part, fan expectations for the book on what would work — for instance, how such a narrative would translate from paper to the screen.

Although the show does its best to stay dedicated to the novel, several major differences have crept up that impact how the story and characters come across. Here's a closer look at five notable changes between the book and its TV adaptation.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on the author’s personal views.

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1) Pip’s nicknames (It's not Chicken!)

In the novel, Pip’s father affectionately calls her "Pickle" and "Pipsicle," endearing terms that highlight their close bond. These names are used, as they sound similar to her actual name. However, in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder TV series, he uses the nickname "Chicken."

While it might seem like a minor change, it subtly shifts the tone of their interactions and alters the dynamic presented in the book.

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2) Pip’s investigation (What did they do to her detective skills?)

A significant difference lies in how Pip’s detective abilities are portrayed. The book showcases Pip as a highly intelligent and resourceful detective, meticulously uncovering clues that others miss.

In contrast, the TV adaptation of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder portrays her as less proactive, with many clues handed to her rather than discovered through her efforts.

This change reduces the sense of Pip’s investigative prowess and the detailed nature of her sleuthing as depicted in the novel.

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3) Where is Stanley Forbes in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series?

Stanley Forbes, a key character in the novel who adds depth to the investigation, is notably absent in the TV series. In the book, Forbes is a journalist who covers the Andie Bell murder case and plays a significant role in later books.

Andie Bell (image via Moonage pictures)

His omission from the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series streamlines the plot but removes some of the intricate layers that contributed to the novel's depth. This absence may disappoint fans who appreciated Forbes' contribution to the mystery.

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4) Pip’s encounters with Sal and Andie (The last one)

In the book, Pip never encounters Sal Singh or Andie Bell before Andie’s disappearance, maintaining a distance that enhances the story's mystery. The series, though, shows Pip seeing both characters before Andie's disappearance.

Sal Singh in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (image via Moonage pictures)

This change alters the narrative structure and impacts Pip’s connection to the case, making her involvement feel more personal and complex but also shifting the original dynamic of her investigation.

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5) Flashbacks of Sal and Andie

The novel doesn't include flashbacks of Sal and Andie’s relationship, focusing instead on the present-day investigation. The TV adaptation, though, incorporates several flashback scenes that provide additional context and emotional depth to their characters.

While these flashbacks offer a richer understanding of their relationship, they also change the narrative's focus, offering viewers a different perspective on the story.

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The Netflix adaptation of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder brings Holly Jackson’s intriguing novel to life with some notable changes.

From different nicknames and altered detective skills to the absence of key characters and the introduction of flashbacks, these differences offer a fresh take on Pip FitzAmobi’s story.

Understanding these changes helps fans appreciate both the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder book and the series, each offering its unique approach to the mystery.